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Hello from N Carolina

Introduce Yourself

Welcome all new forum members. Please introduce yourself and tell us about you. Tell us about your company. How did you get started? How long have you been in business? What do you do for fun? Don't be shy, say hello! It's fun and educational to interact on the forum!

Howdy, I'm new to the lawn business and would like some advice.I live about 20 miles North of Charoltte NC. With a friend of mind we sugested that we would mow in Kannapolis NC. I'm embarrassed to say the amount he would mow for.$10.00 a yard.The yards are about 1/2 a acre.I think it is stupid for the price.Should I start my own business or just give up with the idea.

When considering cost of equipment, I know you probably already own most of this equipment but just remember you will have to replace it eventually. Figure it as if you just bought the equipment solely for the purpose of the business. Then find out how much it will cost you to service it at least once or twice per year (based on the hours it will run). Don't forget buying gas for the mower, trimmer, etc.

lets say that hypothetically you are using a $1500 mower that you already own and use for your own yard. I would suggest that this this mower cost can be split up into 2 years. That brings you to $1000 yearly mower costs.

Lets say the maintenance costs are going to be $350 per year, hypothetically. If you figure that you are going to be running your mower 400 hours this season, lets estimate the gas at, say $350. Now you have $700 per year in floating costs for the mower. your total per year costs are now $1700.

$1700/400 hours=$4.25 per hour of machine operation. This is figuring only while the machine is operating.

Now do that with all your equipment. If the trimmer costs $250 (divided by 2 years), maintenance costs, fuel, trimmer line, etc. costs you $125 per year =$250 in yearly costs. Let's figure that your trimmer will run 50 hours per year. $250/50 hours= $5 per hour of operation.

other equipment total costs $250 (divided by 2 years), maintenance costs, fuel, trimmer line, etc. costs you $125 per year =$250 in yearly costs. Let's figure that this equipment will run 20 hours per year. $250/30 hours= $$8.34 per hour of operation.

If a 1/2 yard takes you 45 minutes to mow, and another 15 minutes to trim, and 10 minutes with the other equipment, your out of pocket costs are:

mower $3.75 + Trimmer $1.25 + other equipment $1.40 = $6.40 in out of pocket costs to mow that yard. This leaves $3.60 for your vehicle insurance, wear and tear, and gasoline. And you have not done more than cover your expenses, much less made any money for yourselves. Pay yourselves at least $10+ per hour......

Here is another thread that talks about the cost of doing business per hour. I think it is much better explained there.

When considering cost of equipment, I know you probably already own most of this equipment but just remember you will have to replace it eventually. Figure it as if you just bought the equipment solely for the purpose of the business. Then find out how much it will cost you to service it at least once or twice per year (based on the hours it will run). Don't forget buying gas for the mower, trimmer, etc.

lets say that hypothetically you are using a $1500 mower that you already own and use for your own yard. I would suggest that this this mower cost can be split up into 2 years. That brings you to $1000 yearly mower costs.

Lets say the maintenance costs are going to be $350 per year, hypothetically. If you figure that you are going to be running your mower 400 hours this season, lets estimate the gas at, say $350. Now you have $700 per year in floating costs for the mower. your total per year costs are now $1700.

$1700/400 hours=$4.25 per hour of machine operation. This is figuring only while the machine is operating.

Now do that with all your equipment. If the trimmer costs $250 (divided by 2 years), maintenance costs, fuel, trimmer line, etc. costs you $125 per year =$250 in yearly costs. Let's figure that your trimmer will run 50 hours per year. $250/50 hours= $5 per hour of operation.

other equipment total costs $250 (divided by 2 years), maintenance costs, fuel, trimmer line, etc. costs you $125 per year =$250 in yearly costs. Let's figure that this equipment will run 20 hours per year. $250/30 hours= $$8.34 per hour of operation.

If a 1/2 yard takes you 45 minutes to mow, and another 15 minutes to trim, and 10 minutes with the other equipment, your out of pocket costs are:

mower $3.75 + Trimmer $1.25 + other equipment $1.40 = $6.40 in out of pocket costs to mow that yard. This leaves $3.60 for your vehicle insurance, wear and tear, and gasoline. And you have not done more than cover your expenses, much less made any money for yourselves. Pay yourselves at least $10+ per hour......

Here is another thread that talks about the cost of doing business per hour. I think it is much better explained there.